Dr. Yasmin Sabet is a rheumatologist at UMC, treating musculoskeletal diseases that are typically caused by autoimmune problems that prevent the immune system from adequately fighting infections.
“So as rheumatologists, we put you on medications that treat the immune system to make you feel better and resolve your symptoms,” Sabet said.
Sabet said she was always drawn to medicine, and in part that interest was instilled by her pediatrician.
“I kind of always knew growing up, I wanted to be a doctor. I loved going to the doctor when I was little, I had the same pediatrician from when I was little to when I…was 21 and so I loved medicine,” she said. “I loved science. I loved learning how the body worked.”
During her training, she was able to visit patients with a rheumatologist, and said she saw how big of a difference they were able to make in people’s everyday lives.
“Because sometimes, with these diseases you are unable to do…basic things like open a soda can, open a jar, open a doorknob, turn on the faucet, things like that. And when you get on the correct medication, you’re able to do almost everything,” Sabet said.
She realized she had chosen the right field when she had a patient who came into the hospital so profoundly affected by the disease that she was bound to a wheelchair.
“I had a patient, older lady. The first time I saw her, she was in a wheelchair. She couldn’t get out of the wheelchair to even get on the exam table…She could barely lift her arms over her head. She was very uncomfortable,” Sabet said. But after she tried several different treatments, she saw a life-changing result for her patient.
Sabet had tried a few medications, and after a few months the patient began to show improvement, and the patient returned to UMC for a follow up.
“So after she was in it for a few months, she came back into the office…[wearing] this red sequined dress, long like a ball gown,” Sabet explained. “And I asked her, where are you going? And she [said] I dressed up for you! Because I’m going to dance in this clinic today!”
Sabet was so amazed by the patient’s progress, and said that it makes her feel good to be able to make that type of difference.”
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